ShareIncreased air-conditioning demand expected in a hot future
Climate change could contribute to a more than three-fold increase in heat-related deaths in the UK by the 2050s and increase the demand for air conditioning, a new report claims.
Climate change could contribute to a more than three-fold increase in heat-related deaths in the UK by the 2050s and increase the demand for air conditioning, a new report claims.
The study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (doi: 10.1136/jech-2013-202449) indicates that health protection from hot weather will become increasingly necessary this century. A significantly raised risk of heat-related and cold-related mortality was observed in all regions and was partly driven by projected population growth and ageing.
Heat-related deaths in the UK would be expected to rise by around 257% by the 2050s from a current annual baseline of around 2000 deaths. Cold-related mortality would decline by 2% from a baseline of around 41,000 deaths.
Health protection from hot weather will become increasingly necessary, says the report. Air conditioning is likely to become more widespread and this increased reliance on active cooling systems in houses, hospitals and care homes could exacerbate energy consumption, climate change and the urban heat island effect.
The study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (doi: 10.1136/jech-2013-202449) indicates that health protection from hot weather will become increasingly necessary this century. A significantly raised risk of heat-related and cold-related mortality was observed in all regions and was partly driven by projected population growth and ageing.
Heat-related deaths in the UK would be expected to rise by around 257% by the 2050s from a current annual baseline of around 2000 deaths. Cold-related mortality would decline by 2% from a baseline of around 41,000 deaths.
Health protection from hot weather will become increasingly necessary, says the report. Air conditioning is likely to become more widespread and this increased reliance on active cooling systems in houses, hospitals and care homes could exacerbate energy consumption, climate change and the urban heat island effect.